Hi, Saph.
Goodness, you've got a lot going on there. Yep, most doctors would call this an illness. They'd give you medication and maybe even lock you up. On the other hand, if we were living in J. K. Rowling's world, you definitely would have gotten the letter by owl when you were eleven. ;) If you happened to have been born into an indigenous tribe in, say, South Dakota, or the Amazon rainforest, or Central Australia, then the medicine workers of that tribe would have taken you off at an early age to train you in their art.
So who's right, the doctors who call it psychosis or the medicine workers who call it a gift for magick? Well, in a way, both. A lot of people have experiences like you described (although yours are wilder than most--you have a real powerful, and therefore dangerous, talent). Some of those people end up locked in insane asylums, others go on to become great leaders or healers. What's the difference? Very simple: A container. You need to have a container for what you are doing, so you do it safely. I don't mean this literally (although it wouldn't hurt to have some physical bowl or something that you can say to your brain, there, that's my container, that's how I keep my gift from going out of control).
It's what Xavier (Patrick Stewart) told Jean Grey in the recent X-men movie: Control the power, don't let it control you. You need to learn about your gifts, and understand them and what they mean. This is what I mean by "container." Here's a question to ask yourself: How successful are you in your personal life, work/school, relationships, that sort of thing? Because the mark of someone who is good at this stuff is that she is powerful in doing magick, but also powerful in living.
So here's the thing, if you are going to learn the art of operating in multiple levels of awareness, multiple dimensions of being, and doing so in a controlled and effective way, it comes down to
how to learn it. You might see if there is a good New Age (for lack of a better word) bookshop near you. A lot of these are run by older women who are wise and good. They could help you find some resources, in book form or otherwise. And you can look around the internet. Lots of websites. Hopefully, you can find a mentor (on or off-line) who can give you more in-depth training.
There are some great teachers out there, but some lousy ones, too. Watch out that you don't become totally devoted to any one person or path. If you're anywhere near Oregon, I'd be happy to suggest some very good people I know. One guy I know who is just a delight to work with is David Lang. He does long-distance (e.g. on-line) work with people too. Check him out at his website,
Urban Shamanism and Shamanic Healing with David Lang
Here are some pointers to help you find people who will be a benefit to you, rather than someone who will exploit you:
1. It's always your decision. It's your life, and you are the final authority. If you don't like what someone is saying, choose not to follow it.
2. Sample widely, from different sources and different cultural paths. Multiple points of view are what give you perspective. Take what you like, leave the rest.
3. Look for someone who shows deep honesty and kindness in every aspect of his or her life.
4. Look for someone who teaches you to fish, instead of giving you a fish. You want someone who will help you become more independent and in control of yourself, not someone who will make you more dependent and under his control.
5. Look for someone who has a sense of humor, and enjoys this work.
Best wishes, and by all means drop me a message if there is anything else you need and you think I might be able to help.
Blessings of Life and Light,
Alder